Ethel Payne, also known as the "First Lady of the Black Press," was a pioneering African American journalist who made significant contributions to the civil rights movement through her reporting. Born in 1911 in Chicago, Illinois, Payne began her career in journalism in the 1940s and quickly gained recognition for her fearless reporting on issues of race and politics.

Payne became the first African American woman to focus on national and international news for a major American newspaper when she was hired by the Chicago Defender in 1951. She covered a wide range of important events, including the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and the administrations of presidents from Eisenhower to Reagan.

As a journalist, Payne was known for her incisive questioning of political leaders and her commitment to telling the stories of marginalized communities. She was unafraid to confront racism and injustice in her reporting, and she used her platform to advocate for equality and social change.

Ethel Payne's groundbreaking work in journalism paved the way for future generations of Black journalists and helped to bring issues of race and civil rights to the forefront of national discourse. She was a trailblazer in her field and remains an inspiration to all who strive for social justice and equality.